China Program Review 2002
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Environmental Action Program:
Impact on Sustainable Social Development
Participants in the course have reported considerable personal benefits. More than 90% of the participants visited reported an increase in their level of self-esteem and self-confidence and an increase in their ability to participate in decision-making in their families and in their communities. They also learned to work collectively, further benefiting the community. Some examples of the changes are found below.
1) Higher level of cooperation with neighbors
Yang Cunlan
Yang Cunlan and her husband own a pig farm where they raise a breed of pigs considered superior to the common local breed. After the training, she felt the need to help others to improve their economic conditions so they sold the piglets to their neighbors and villagers at less than half the market price.
Han Guifang (left) work
cooperatively with her neighbors
on the farm
Han Guifang and 6 of her neighbors used to work individually on their own farms. Now they work cooperatively from one farm to another. They found that in this way work became easier and they were able to finish faster. It was also more enjoyable to work together.
2) Ability to use the consultative process to resolve family problems, to foster closer relationships with neighbors and to improve the quality of their lives
Xiong Ai Lian's husband is the village secretary. Her usual hostile and unwelcoming attitude towards her husband's visitors changed after the EAP Level 1 course. Her husband commented that a transformed person returned home after the training.
Liu Xiao Yun's relationship with her uncle was estranged. After the training, she took the initiative to buy her uncle a gift for his birthday. After this simple gesture from her, their relationship improved dramatically. She also shared the content of the EAP handbook extensively with 40 villagers to raise the community's awareness on environmental protection.
3) Learning, sharing knowledge and imparting skills
Seventy percent (70%) of the participants reported that they shared the knowledge and skills they gained through the course with family, friends, and neighbors. By sharing their knowledge and skills, they encouraged others to plant trees and grass, to build green houses and to adopt more ecologically sound agricultural practices. By sharing their knowledge with others, the women not only benefited their communities but also prepared themselves to become facilitators of the Environmental Action courses.
Zhang Xiao Ying (right)
Zhang Xiao Ying has now gained the confidence and the courage to both share what she has learned and approach others for more information. This newfound confidence has enabled her to begin a new business growing mushrooms. She also taught her children and her neighbors children about cleanliness and hygiene. In the community, she shared the content of the EAP handbook with her neighbors.
Luan Xiao Chun (right)
As a health worker at a clinic, Luan Xiao Chun shared with all those at the clinic what she learned about human relationships and environmental cleanliness. She has also decided to take a loan of RMB20,000 (USD2500) to start a poultry production business. She began with 1000 chickens.
Liu Yan Mei (center)
A facilitator, Liu Yan Mei from Suide County, Shaanxi Province, confirmed her ability to expand the program through her effort.
"After several trainings, I have changed my old mindset and am free from the captive of old traditional habits. I have been able to use the capability I developed. This brought about many positive changes to my family and as a result, our income doubled this year..... Now that it is not the farming season, I am facilitating the course for my friends. They are very enthusiastic and confident. While we study the course, we also promote the importance of environmental action to others."